Five days, 200 miles, 8½ miles of ascent – the gruelling Dragon's Back Race crosses the length of Wales, from Conwy Castle in the north to Carreg Cennen Castle in the south. One of the world's most challenging races, it fills even the hardest runners with awe

Where are the people in the know heading this year? We asked the experts, from adventurers seeking the world's most remote outreaches, to party animals in search of the hottest gigs, to tell us their plans and tips